Chapter 837: Holding Him Hostage, Threatening Her

"You two, stay here and protect Mr. Grant."

Wright pointed at two mercenaries, then turned and left.

The two mercenaries dutifully guarded Walker Grant, though their eyes remained fixed on him, keeping him under strict surveillance. Walker slightly lowered his head. The distant firelight flickered across his face, casting his expression in an unpredictable interplay of light and shadow.

A moment later, a voice blared through the villa’s public address system.

"Chloe Reed, I have your husband, Walker Grant! He’s right here where you set the fire. If you want him to live, come out and show yourself! Otherwise, I’ll throw him into the flames!"

The broadcast echoed outward, carrying a vicious threat that would infuriate anyone who heard it.

Walker let out a low chuckle. He never expected the day would come when he would be used as a hostage against Chloe. However, they were looking in the wrong direction and using the wrong method. Chloe desperately wanted a divorce. She wanted to leave him and sever all ties; why would she risk her life to come back for him? Besides, she had already fought so hard just to survive this ordeal. There was absolutely no way she would throw her life away for someone else.

In the past, Walker had constantly wondered what it would take to make her stay. He had played the victim, feigning weakness to win her sympathy. She had indeed relented and stayed, leading him to believe in that moment that she still cared for him. As long as he held even the tiniest space in her heart, he would keep trying. Right now, though, he hoped she wouldn’t be soft-hearted. He wanted her to be cold and selfish—to protect herself. He would be fine. No one dared to touch him. She should know that, right?

Unnoticed, dark clouds had veiled Nyx, rendering her even more pitch-black and oppressive.

When the broadcast rang out, Chloe was already nearing the garage. But the moment she heard the voice, her footsteps faltered. Her hand tightened around her pistol. Her entire body tensed, her lips trembling slightly. She never imagined Walker would be here, let alone captured!

She wondered if it was true. Wasn’t Walker spending the New Year at the Grant Family Estate? It was so late; he shouldn’t be here. Chloe tried to force herself to stay rational and analyze the situation, but her mind was in total chaos.

What if it was true? A thought flashed through her mind, uncontrollably shaking her resolve. What if Walker had actually come? She knew he hadn’t wanted to return to the estate; she was the one who had convinced him to go. By this time, it was entirely possible he had finished dinner, decided he didn’t want to stay at the estate any longer, and come back.

He knew she was at Soltara, so he had come looking for her to spend the New Year together. Even if he hadn’t said it out loud, she could see it. If he had put himself in danger trying to find her, then she had dragged yet another person down with her. Chloe closed her eyes in anguish, enveloped by endless guilt and fury. These people, this Vera Holloway—they were absolutely relentless!

When she opened her eyes again, her gaze was resolute. She looked ahead. The garage was only a short distance away, yet she firmly turned around and sprinted back toward the mixing room.

However, she hadn’t made it far when a bullet suddenly whizzed past from behind, striking the floor right in front of her.